The Squid's Ear
Writing about improvised, contemporary, experimental and unusual music,
following the activities of Squidco...
  •  •  •     Join Our Mailing List!



The Squid's Ear




Heard In

Reviews of artist releases:
cd's, books, magazines, &c.


  Birgit Ulher / Damon Smith / Chris Cogburn 
  The Eternity-Cult
  (Balance Point Acoustics) 


  
   review by Ken Waxman
  2022-03-31
Birgit Ulher / Damon Smith / Chris Cogburn: The Eternity-Cult (Balance Point Acoustics)

A blend of intonation and improvisation, The Eternity-Cult is a harmonies-across-the-seas program featuring the trumpet and objects of Birgit Ulher from Northern Germany with the double bass (Damon Smith) and percussion and electronics (Chris Cogburn) from the southern US. Despite geographical distances the three are equally committed to free-from improvisation. This disc's single 37-minute track finds the trio exploring textures and pitches from minimalist to embellished, while maintaining linear flow.

Ulher, who has worked with Smith in other contexts, deconstructs conventional brass tones by substituting dead air forced through the horn with no valve movement, mouthpiece sucking, stuttering blows and narrowed squeals. Swelling her adaptation of radio-sourced static as well as spitting yelps created by pressing the trumpet bell against unyielding objects, she frequently unearths distinctive leitmotifs when joined by crackling wave forms from Cogburn's electrified beats. Meanwhile whether the others produce whiny cries or concentrated buzzing, Smith's subtle and dedicated string strategies add extra pumps and shakes to preserve concentrated steadiness. During a few hushed interludes where Ulher's half-valve effects brush up against sul tasto rubs from Smith's bass and Cogburn's programmed voltage, hisses are also negotiated succinctly. Then at the two-thirds mark, the instant composition reaches a crescendo of string buzzes, metallic percussion rustles and portamento brass effects. Shaking and burbling, the resulting sequence settles into a conclusion that highlights joint innovative sound extensions; connective threads mean that unusual textures can be appreciated at many junctures.

Although no cult members are involved, the music itself has been captured for eternity.







Comments and Feedback:



More Recent Reviews, Articles, and Interviews @ The Squid's Ear...


The Squid's Ear presents
reviews about releases
sold at Squidco.com
written by
independent writers.

Squidco

Recent Selections @ Squidco:


Ernesto Rodrigues/
Guilherme Rodrigues/
Nuno Torres/
Alexander Von Schlippenbach/
Willi Kellers:
Nickelsdorf
(Creative Sources)



Ivo Perelman (
w/ Marc Ribot/
Elliott Sharp/
Joe Morris):
Trifecta
[3 CDs]
(Mahakala Music)



Marc Copland (
w/ Feldman/
Gress/
Pinciotti/
Henkelhausen/
Burgwinkel):
String Theory
(Inner Voice Jazz)



Gabriel Vicens:
Niebla
(Clepsydra)



Fred Frith/
Karen Stackpole:
Nature
(Sub Rosa)



Magda Mayas'
Filamental:
Murmur
(Relative Pitch)



The Outskirts (
Rempis/
Haker-Flaten/
Rosaly):
Orbital
[2CDs]
(Aerophonic)



Louis Armstrong:
Hot Five
&
Hot Seven
At 100
[2 CDs + 2 POSTCARDS]
(Thingamajig)



Bill Laswell/
P.ST (
w/Henry Kaiser,
Graham Haynes,
Peter Apfelbaum, &c):
Mount Analogue
[2 CDs]
(Sub Rosa)



Bill Laswell/
P.ST (
w/Henry Kaiser,
Graham Haynes,
Peter Apfelbaum, &c):
Mount Analogue
[VINYL 2 LPs]
(Sub Rosa)



Bruce Coates/
Paul Dunmall/
John Edwards/
Trevor Lines/
Mark Sanders:
Five On A Die
(FMR)



Jason Stein/
Marilyn Crispell/
Damon Smith/
Adam Shead:
Live at
The Hungry Brain
[VINYL]
(Trost Records)



The Dinner Party/
Ansuman Biswas:
Broken Dream
(FMR)



Jordan Paul Topiel/
Bryan Eubanks:
Pushovers
(Sacred Realism)



Rodrigo Amado's The Bridge (
Amado/
Schlippenbach/
Haker-Flaten/
Hemingway):
Further Beyond
(Trost Records)



Davis/
Ferrari/
Mazza:
Things Of This Nature
(Mahakala Music)



Szilard Mezei Octet:
Only In Movies
(FMR)



Frode Gjerstad:
The Entire
39 CD Collection
[39-CD BOX SET]
(FMR)



Steve MacLean:
Box Of Seven
[7 CD BOX]
(Recommended Records)



Bucher/
Tan/
Countryman:
Nothing In Between
(FMR)







Squidco
Click here to
advertise with
The Squid's Ear






The Squid's Ear pays its writers.
Interested in becoming a reviewer?




The Squid's Ear is the companion magazine to the online music shop Squidco !


  Copyright © Squidco. All rights reserved. Trademarks. (24489)